Class 12 General English | PSEB | A Rainbow of English
Author: A. J. Cronin
1. Lesson Summary
Two Gentlemen of Verona is a short story by A. J. Cronin. It tells the moving story of two Italian brothers, Nicola and Jacopo, who work hard to pay for the medical treatment of their sister, Lucia.
Meeting the two boys
The narrator and his companion are travelling through the foothills of the Alps when they meet two young boys selling wild strawberries on the outskirts of Verona. The boys are poorly dressed, but their serious expressions and honest manner attract the narrator’s attention. Their names are Nicola and Jacopo. Nicola is thirteen years old, while Jacopo is nearly twelve.
The next morning, the narrator sees the boys working as shoeshine boys. They explain that they do many different jobs. They guide visitors around Verona, sell fruit, shine shoes, sell newspapers and run errands.
Their hard work
The narrator is impressed by the boys’ willingness to work. They work for long hours, even in the summer heat, but they do not complain. Despite earning money, they spend very little on themselves. They wear old clothes and eat simple food, such as black bread and figs.
The narrator wonders why the boys work so tirelessly and save almost all their earnings. When he asks Nicola about their plans, the boy becomes uncomfortable and avoids giving a direct answer.
The visit to Poleta
Before the narrator leaves Verona, Jacopo asks whether he can take the boys to Poleta, a village about thirty kilometres away, in his car. Nicola is embarrassed by his younger brother’s request, but the narrator agrees to drive them.
In Poleta, the narrator discovers that the boys visit a hospital housed in a large villa. Inside, he sees them sitting beside their sister, Lucia, who is about twenty years old and suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.
The secret behind their sacrifice
The nurse explains that the children lost their father during the war. Their home was later destroyed by a bomb, leaving them homeless and exposed to hunger and cold. Although they had once enjoyed a comfortable life, the war forced them to struggle for survival.
When the war ended, the boys returned to find that Lucia was seriously ill. They brought her to the hospital and worked tirelessly to pay her medical fees. Their earnings, rather than being spent on their own comfort, were devoted to their sister’s treatment.
Lucia had been training to become a singer. The nurse explains that her condition has improved and that there is hope she may walk and sing again.
The message of the story
The narrator is deeply moved by the brothers’ love, courage and selflessness. Their hardships have not destroyed their spirit. Instead, they demonstrate extraordinary responsibility and devotion to their sister.
The story teaches us that true greatness lies not in wealth or appearance but in love, sacrifice, hard work and concern for others.
2. Short-Answer Type Questions
Q1. What were the jobs that the two boys undertook?
Nicola and Jacopo undertook several jobs to earn money. They sold wild strawberries, shined shoes, sold newspapers, guided tourists around Verona and ran errands. They were willing to do any honest work that helped them earn money for their sister’s treatment.
Q2. Describe the physical appearance of both the boys.
Nicola and Jacopo were small, poorly dressed boys with brown skin, tangled hair and dark, serious eyes. Nicola, the elder brother, was thirteen, while Jacopo was nearly twelve and much shorter. Despite their shabby clothes, their faces showed sincerity and seriousness beyond their years.
Q3. How were the two boys useful for the narrator in many ways?
The boys helped the narrator and his companion in several ways. They guided them around Verona, helped them obtain chocolates and opera seats, recommended restaurants and ran errands. They were reliable, hardworking and familiar with the town.
Q4. Why did the two boys work endlessly?
The boys worked tirelessly to pay for the medical treatment of their sister, Lucia, who suffered from tuberculosis of the spine. They wanted her to recover and hoped that she would one day walk and sing again.
Q5. Where did the narrator drive the two boys?
The narrator drove Nicola and Jacopo to Poleta, a small village about thirty kilometres from Verona. They wanted to visit their sister, Lucia, who was receiving treatment in a hospital there.
Q6. Who was the woman at the village?
The woman was a trained nurse at the hospital in Poleta. She welcomed the narrator and explained the difficult circumstances of the two boys and their sister.
Q7. What made the narrator follow the boys?
The narrator was curious about the boys’ destination and their secret plans. When they arrived at a large villa instead of a humble dwelling, his curiosity increased. He followed them and discovered that the villa had been converted into a hospital where their sister was being treated.
Q8. What did Lucia aspire to be?
Lucia aspired to become a singer. She had been training for a singing career before illness and the hardships of war disrupted her life.
Q9. Why was the narrator deeply moved?
The narrator was deeply moved when he discovered that the boys worked long hours and lived very simply to pay for Lucia’s treatment. Their selfless love, sacrifice and devotion to their sister filled him with admiration.
Q10. What made the two brothers and their sister orphans?
Their father, who was a well-known singer, was killed during the war. Later, a bomb destroyed their home, leaving the three children homeless and forcing them to face hunger and hardship.
Q11. What is the message conveyed by the two boys in the story? Say in your own words.
The boys teach us the importance of love, sacrifice, responsibility and hard work. They show that even young people can face serious difficulties with courage and dignity. Their willingness to sacrifice personal comfort for their sister demonstrates the power of family love and selflessness.
3. Long-Answer Type Questions
Q1. Draw a brief character-sketch of the two boys in the story.
Answer:
Nicola and Jacopo are the two central characters in “Two Gentlemen of Verona.” They are young Italian brothers whose courage, honesty and devotion to their sister make them admirable examples of selflessness.
1. Hardworking and industrious
The boys are willing to undertake many different jobs. They sell fruit, shine shoes, sell newspapers, guide tourists and run errands. They work long hours in the heat and continue working late into the night.
2. Responsible beyond their years
Although Nicola is only thirteen and Jacopo is nearly twelve, both boys take responsibility for their family’s survival. They do not depend on others to solve their problems. Instead, they earn money through honest work.
3. Selfless and sacrificing
The boys spend very little on themselves. They wear shabby clothes and eat simple food because their earnings are needed for Lucia’s medical treatment. They place their sister’s welfare above their own comfort.
4. Deeply devoted to their sister
Their greatest concern is Lucia, who suffers from tuberculosis of the spine. They visit her regularly and pay the hospital fees week after week. Their devotion gives Lucia hope of recovery.
5. Honest and sincere
The boys are straightforward in their dealings with the narrator. They work honestly and prove themselves reliable whenever they are asked to help. Their sincerity is visible in their behaviour.
6. Dignified and self-respecting
Although they are poor, they do not beg for money or complain about their condition. They prefer to earn their living through hard work. Their quiet dignity earns the narrator’s respect.
7. Courageous and determined
The boys have suffered greatly because of war. Their father was killed, their home was destroyed and they experienced hunger and exposure to cold. Nevertheless, they do not lose hope or abandon their sister.
8. Mature beyond their age
Their seriousness and sense of responsibility are remarkable for children so young. They understand the importance of work, family duty and sacrifice.
9. Hopeful and optimistic
The brothers continue to work because they hope Lucia will recover. They believe that their efforts can help her return to a healthier life and perhaps resume her singing career.
10. Inspiring examples of humanity
Their actions show that true greatness is not measured by wealth, appearance or social position. It is revealed through kindness, courage and concern for others.
Conclusion: Nicola and Jacopo are admirable young boys whose love for Lucia inspires everyone who learns their story. Their sacrifices teach us that selflessness, hard work and responsibility are among the finest qualities a person can possess.
Q2. Write the theme of the story “Two Gentlemen of Verona” in your own words.
Answer:
The central theme of “Two Gentlemen of Verona” is the power of family love, self-sacrifice, courage and human dignity. Through the lives of Nicola and Jacopo, A. J. Cronin shows that true nobility comes from the way people care for others, especially during difficult times.
1. Love and devotion to family
The brothers are deeply devoted to their sister, Lucia. When they discover that she is seriously ill, they dedicate themselves to supporting her treatment. Their actions show that love is expressed through responsibility and care.
2. Sacrifice for others
Nicola and Jacopo earn money through several jobs but spend very little on themselves. They sacrifice comfort, leisure and better clothing so that they can pay the hospital fees. Their actions place Lucia’s welfare above their own needs.
3. The dignity of honest labour
The boys do not consider any honest work beneath them. They sell fruit, shine shoes, sell newspapers and guide tourists. Their willingness to work demonstrates that honest labour brings dignity, whatever the nature of the job.
4. Courage in the face of hardship
War destroys their home and takes their father. The children experience hunger, cold and insecurity. Despite these difficulties, the brothers remain determined to build a better future for Lucia.
5. Maturity and responsibility
Although they are very young, Nicola and Jacopo behave with extraordinary maturity. They take responsibility for their sister’s treatment rather than surrendering to despair.
6. Selflessness rather than personal comfort
The boys’ simple clothes and modest meals reveal their willingness to give up personal comforts. They are not interested in displaying wealth or enjoying their earnings; their priority is Lucia’s recovery.
7. Hope and perseverance
The brothers continue paying the hospital fees because they believe Lucia may recover. Their persistence gives hope to their sister and demonstrates the importance of not giving up when life becomes difficult.
8. The destructive effects of war
The story also highlights the suffering caused by war. Their father is killed, their home is destroyed and the children are left to struggle for survival. Yet the boys’ humanity remains strong despite the destruction around them.
9. The power of compassion
The narrator is moved by the brothers’ sacrifice. Their story reminds readers that acts of love and service can restore faith in humanity, even after great suffering.
10. True nobility
The title suggests that the boys are gentlemen not because of their wealth or social standing but because of their noble conduct. Their kindness, responsibility and sacrifice make them truly admirable.
Conclusion: The story teaches that love, selflessness, honest work and courage give life its real value. Nicola and Jacopo show that even young people can demonstrate extraordinary humanity when they act out of love for others.
Q3. Explain briefly the conditions in which the two boys grew up.
Answer:
Nicola and Jacopo grew up in extremely difficult circumstances because of the war. Their family had once enjoyed a comfortable and cultured life, but the war destroyed their security and forced them to struggle for survival.
1. A comfortable family background
Before the war, the children lived in a reasonably comfortable home. Their father was a well-known singer, and their sister, Lucia, was receiving training to become a singer herself. Their family had enjoyed a cultured life.
2. The death of their father
Their father was killed during the early part of the war. His death deprived the children of parental support and left them vulnerable during an already difficult period.
3. Destruction of their home
Soon after their father’s death, a bomb destroyed their house. The three children were left homeless and forced into the streets.
4. Hunger and exposure
Without a home or sufficient resources, the children suffered from near starvation and exposure to the cold winter. For months, they struggled to keep themselves alive.
5. Living in a makeshift shelter
The children built a shelter with their own hands among the rubble of destroyed buildings. Their living conditions were extremely poor, and survival required courage and resourcefulness.
6. The hardships of occupation
For three years, the Germans ruled their city. The boys suffered under the conditions of war and eventually joined the resistance movement when it began to form secretly.
7. Return after the war
When the war ended, the brothers returned to their beloved sister. They hoped to rebuild their lives, but they discovered that Lucia was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.
8. A new responsibility
Lucia needed hospital treatment, but the family had little money. The boys decided to work hard and pay her medical fees themselves.
9. Their tireless labour
They took up every honest job they could find, including selling fruit, shining shoes, selling newspapers, guiding tourists and running errands. They worked long hours and saved their earnings for Lucia.
10. Hope for the future
Despite their suffering, the brothers did not give up. They continued paying for Lucia’s treatment, and the nurse explained that she was improving and might one day walk and sing again.
Conclusion: Nicola and Jacopo grew up amid war, poverty, homelessness and family tragedy. Yet these hardships did not destroy their spirit. Instead, they became responsible, courageous and selfless young men whose devotion to Lucia gives the story its inspiring message.
4. Vocabulary Practice
Exercise 1: Form opposites using the prefixes im-, dis-, un- and in-.
| Word | Opposite |
|---|---|
| Practical | Impractical |
| Connect | Disconnect |
| Satisfied | Dissatisfied |
| Mortal | Immortal |
| Intentional | Unintentional |
| Flammable | Non-flammable |
| Manageable | Unmanageable |
| Fortunately | Unfortunately |
| Sane | Insane |
| Agree | Disagree |
| Mature | Immature |
| Mount | Dismount |
| Articulate | Inarticulate |
| Armed | Disarmed |
Textbook note: The exercise asks for opposites using im-, dis-, un- and in-. However, inflammable is not the opposite of flammable; both words mean capable of catching fire. The correct opposite is non-flammable. This is an issue with the exercise’s supplied prefix choices.
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks using the words given.
Word bank: excursion, trip, journey, tour, expedition, pilgrimage, voyage
(a) The shrine was a place of pilgrimage.
(b) The Titanic sank in April 1912 on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.
(c) The students went on an excursion to the caves.
(d) He led a military expedition against the terrorists.
(e) She went to America on a promotional tour for her new cosmetic range.
(f) It’s a day’s journey by bus.
(g) They went on a one-day trip to the river.
5. Grammar Exercises
Exercise 1: Change the Narration
1. Kausalya said to Rama, “Do not desire to possess the moon.”
Answer: Kausalya advised Rama not to desire to possess the moon.
2. An old mouse said, “Who will bell the cat?”
Answer: An old mouse asked who would bell the cat.
3. “Go down to the bazaar. Bring me some oil and a lump of ice,” ordered Latif.
Answer: Latif ordered the person addressed to go down to the bazaar and bring him some oil and a lump of ice.
4. Isha said to him, “What is it that makes you stronger and braver than any other man?”
Answer: Isha asked him what it was that made him stronger and braver than any other man.
5. “Have you anything to tell me?” asked his master.
Answer: His master asked him whether he had anything to tell him.
6. He said to me, “Wait until I come.”
Answer: He told me to wait until he came.
7. He said, “Oh! That’s a nuisance.”
Answer: He exclaimed that it was a nuisance.
8. “Which way did she go?” asked the young man.
Answer: The young man asked which way she had gone.
9. My father said to me, “I have often told you not to play with fire.”
Answer: My father told me that he had often told me not to play with fire.
10. I wrote that I would visit him the next day.
Answer: I wrote, “I will visit him tomorrow.”
Exercise 2: Do as Directed
1. I have come ______ (see) you.
(Fill in the blank with an infinitive.)
Answer: I have come to see you.
2. He was quick ______ (understand) the point.
(Fill in the blank with an infinitive.)
Answer: He was quick to understand the point.
3. Combine the sentences using an infinitive.
(i) He has five children.
(ii) He must provide for them.
Answer: He has five children to provide for.
4. Combine the sentences into a single sentence.
(i) He wants to earn his livelihood.
(ii) He works hard for this reason.
Answer: He works hard to earn his livelihood.
5. I saw him ______ (enter) the house.
(Fill in the blank with a participle.)
Answer: I saw him entering the house.
6. He played a ______ (lose) game.
(Fill in the blank with a participle.)
Answer: He played a losing game.
7. Combine the sentences using a participle.
(i) He staggered back.
(ii) He sank to the ground.
Answer: Staggering back, he sank to the ground.
8. She is very keen ______ modelling (take up).
(Fill in the blank with an infinitive.)
Answer: She is very keen to take up modelling.
9. What she hates the most is ______ (smoke).
(Fill in the blank with a gerund.)
Answer: What she hates the most is smoking.
10. He objected to ______ money on cosmetics (spend).
(Fill in the blank with a gerund.)
Answer: He objected to spending money on cosmetics.
Exercise 3: Change the Voice
1. I was pleased with his conduct.
Answer: His conduct pleased me.
2. The sudden noise frightened the horse.
Answer: The horse was frightened by the sudden noise.
3. The man cut down the tree.
Answer: The tree was cut down by the man.
4. People will soon forget it.
Answer: It will soon be forgotten.
5. We elected Thomas captain.
Answer: Thomas was elected captain by us.
6. Somebody has put out the light.
Answer: The light has been put out.
7. We prohibit smoking.
Answer: Smoking is prohibited.
8. He was refused admission.
Answer: They refused him admission.
9. Those cars were built by robots.
Answer: Robots built those cars.
10. Why did he defraud you of your earnings?
Answer: Why were you defrauded of your earnings by him?
6. Practice in Spoken English
The textbook asks students to practise distinguishing the vowel sounds /aɪ/ as in fly and /ɔɪ/ as in boy.
Read each pair aloud, noticing the difference between the sounds.
| /aɪ/ | /ɔɪ/ |
|---|---|
| Tile | Toil |
| Bile | Boil |
| Vice | Voice |
| Vile | Oil |
| Tie | Toy |
| Buy | Boy |
| File | Foil |
| Imply | Employ |
| Lines | Loins |
| Bye | Boy |
Pronunciation tip
- /aɪ/ begins with an open vowel sound and moves towards /ɪ/, as in buy and tile.
- /ɔɪ/ begins with a rounded vowel sound and moves towards /ɪ/, as in boy and toil.
Practise the pairs slowly first, then repeat them at a natural speaking speed.
7. Revision Points
- Two Gentlemen of Verona is written by A. J. Cronin.
- The two brothers are Nicola and Jacopo.
- Nicola is thirteen years old, and Jacopo is nearly twelve.
- They undertake many jobs to earn money.
- Their sister Lucia suffers from tuberculosis of the spine.
- Their father is killed during the war, and a bomb destroys their home.
- The brothers devote their earnings to Lucia’s hospital treatment.
- Their lives demonstrate hard work, sacrifice, courage and family love.
Exam preparation tip: For long answers, remember the main ideas in sequence and explain them in your own words. Use specific details from the story—such as the boys’ different jobs, their simple lifestyle, the visit to Poleta and Lucia’s treatment—to make your answers comprehensive and relevant.